> I have talked to so many people that would really like to start dancing but feel like they
> have 2 left feet or are scared of just showing up at a dance studio (which is what i did).
In my opinion this is the biggest problem that faces people today, convincing them that they would have fun dancing!
> They even know the dances they would like to learn, having seen it in a movie, tv ad or a
> performance of some sort.
Exhibitions and free events are great, but they can sometimes come off as “too polished”, leading people to think that they could never dance like that. I would like to see people who are just beginning to learn to dance do performances, but of course getting them to perform in front of an audience would be very difficult. Most people don't like to be in the spotlight, especially when they aren't confident with what they are doing!
> The general public will most probably be more interested in the social style
> ..... it is just getting them to the studio's that is a problem.
It's always the first step that is the hardest, but I agree that learning social style is probably the best way to start. But how is that different for different parts of the world? Is American “social dancing” remotely similar to English or German “social dancing”?
> (Hopefully not the studios where they charge a fortune but doesn't deliver instruction to
> warrant the fortune and also not the "learn the first dance for the wedding type and please
> don't come back after that" chain studios or the ones where you have to compete or they
> will find a way of getting rid of you ).
Are there really studios who don't want students to come back after their first wedding dance? I do understand (sort of) studios and schools devoted to competative dancing because it is very different from social dancing. It's like a soccer (internationally - football) coach trying to teach football (internationally - American football) players. Similar but completely different.
> For this to work you will need people that teach dance because it is their passion in life,
> not just a way to earn a living (yes, they will be extremely hard to find).
They are hard to find because everyone needs to earn a living. Few people can afford to just do what they love. It's also challanging because people who are “good” teachers have to be educated, and that takes upfront time and commitment that a lot of people aren't willing to put in for what amounts to a low-paying job. But there are lots of teachers out there who do it for the love of dancing.
> For someone
> that is willing to do this, there is a big group of people in the general public that would
> support you wholeheartedly, me included. And you would not need to spend a fortune
> on marketing either, word of mouth will do it.
Word of mouth takes time to build up, so marketing would have to come first, but you are correct, once there is a base of popular support, dance students would continue to arrive. That is the same with most businesses, though, word of mouth is the best advertising there is, it's just unpredictable.
> Where you take the studio or students
> from there is up to you - or the students.....if they wish to learn international style then
> offer it, else stick to american/social style. To keep the students you need to teach them
> what they want to learn, not force them into something they don't want to do.
Which again leads back to instructors being educated and continueing to learn throughout their careers. Nobody can predict how interest in dance will progress, so nobody can learn everything they need to know before they start teaching. Who could have predicted the growth of swing 10 years ago, or the present popularity of salsa? What will be the next hot partner dance? It is an unusual individual who can be an expert in all levels of American Style and International dances when they start teaching.
> Private or group classes. With group classes you get the opportunity to dance with a
> variety of leaders and followers in a relaxed situation since you are all most probably at
> the same dance level. You also get to know people from the studio and can share a
> thought or two even if it is just a comment on a dance pattern.
I definitely think that group classes are the best way to start, they are cheaper than private lessons, you get to see that everyone else is as skilled (or not) as you are, and you make social contacts that make going to dances that much easier. Even if you don't know their names you will at least see familiar faces when you do go out!
> How to get the guys to try the dance pattern during the weekly party is still a mistery to
> me ... you need this in order to take your students to the next level of dancing.
Guys want to be successful, so they do what they know, and save the new stuff until they feel more comfortable with it. But you are correct, dance students need to be continually challanged in order to grow as dancers.
> Something i would throw in as well is a student friendly jack and jill event every now
> and then.....
A good idea once there is a base of students who know the basics of the jack and jill style dance
> Anyone care to comment on this ? Or wish to explore this business plan with me ....
